Rest in Power, the lion of Alkebulan, son of the soil Mwalimu Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o
Today, my heart is heavy beyond words. Our beloved Mwalimu Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o has transitioned. The world has lost a giant, a fierce warrior of words, truth, and African dignity.
Every Sunday, like clockwork, we would ring and there you were, with your voice full of life and laughter. You would say “Njata (the name you gave me) today you have visited me. May the light of Njeeri Njata shine on me.” Njata the star that shines bright. You would sing old Gĩkũyũ songs, fill the air with stories soaked in wisdom, and always ask how my children and my mother were doing. Then you would laugh and then tell me in Gikuyu Njata I wanted to tell you a short story about how we would sing for the mkoloni(the queen)all these conversations in Gikuyu- that was your way.This is how I was able to learn Gikuyu. How I will miss our Sunday calls. How I will miss your laughter and stories.
You carried generations with you, reminding us to remember who we are, where we come from, and where we must go.
You were more than a teacher. You were a compass. A lighthouse. A revolutionary griot. Through your words, you gave us back our languages, our pride, and our power.
There is no Decolonizing the Mind without Mwalimu Ngũgĩ. You gave us the vocabulary and the vision. You made it clear that to reclaim ourselves, we must reclaim our tongues, our stories, our truths.
We will carry your light forward. We will sing the songs. We will write the stories. We will speak the languages. We will teach the children.
Thank you, Mwalimu, for restoring our memory.
Thank you for the calls. The laughter. The courage.
Rest now, Mwalimu. Your legacy is rooted deep, and we will continue the work in your name, in your spirit, in your song.
Lala salama.
Mwathani akũhe thayũ.
Art by Art Pinchez
